Looking for the perfect combination of sweet, salty, crunchy, and buttery? My Sweet and Salty Snack Mix is the ultimate crowd-pleaser that brings together caramel-coated cereal, roasted pecans, and a hint of buttery bliss.
Inspired by classic Southern snack mixes and upgraded with rich brown sugar and a golden caramel drizzle, this recipe is as addictive as it is easy to make.

Whether you’re prepping snacks for movie night, a holiday party, or just a treat-yourself moment, this mix delivers on flavor, texture, and crunch. It’s also perfect for gifting—just bag it up in a cute tin or mason jar, and you’ve got a homemade snack that everyone will beg you for again and again.
Let’s dive into what makes this sweet and salty treat so irresistible.
Ingredients List
To whip up this crave-worthy snack, you’ll only need a few pantry staples. Here’s everything I used:
Main Ingredients
- 2 sticks (1 cup) salted butter – adds rich, savory depth and balances the sweetness
- 1 cup packed light brown sugar – melts into a silky caramel with deep molasses notes
- 1 (12 oz) box Crispix cereal (about 12 cups) – light, airy crunch that holds up to caramel
- 1 ½ cups chopped pecans (6 oz) – buttery and nutty, they toast beautifully in the oven
Optional Add-Ins
- 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper – for a little kick if you want a spicy-sweet twist
Required Kitchen Tools
Before you get started, gather the following tools to ensure smooth prep and easy cleanup:
- Large Saucepan – for melting the butter and boiling the brown sugar into a caramel sauce.
- Extra-Large Baking Sheet – gives plenty of space to spread the snack mix evenly (two smaller sheets work too).
- Foil or Parchment Paper – saves cleanup time and prevents caramel from sticking.
- Wooden Spoon or Silicone Spatula – for stirring and breaking up the mix after baking.
- Nonstick Cooking Spray – to prevent sticking on foil if not using parchment.
These simple tools make the process quick and fuss-free, especially important when working with hot caramel.
How to Make the Sweet and Salty Snack Mix
This recipe comes together in under 30 minutes and fills your kitchen with the warm, buttery aroma of toasted nuts and bubbling caramel. Trust me—it’s almost impossible to wait for it to cool before diving in!
Step 1: Preheat and Prep
I always start by preheating my oven to 325°F (160°C). While it’s heating up, I line an extra-large baking sheet with foil (you can use parchment paper instead) and give it a good coat of nonstick spray. This step is crucial—caramel can be super sticky, and this makes cleanup a breeze.
If I’m doubling the recipe or don’t have a large enough pan, I just split the mix between two smaller sheets.
Step 2: Combine Cereal and Nuts
Next, I spread the entire 12-ounce box of Crispix cereal and 1 ½ cups of chopped pecans evenly on the baking sheet. No need to toast the pecans separately—they’ll get beautifully golden during baking.
Step 3: Make the Caramel Sauce
In a medium saucepan, I melt 2 sticks of salted butter over medium-high heat. Once fully melted, I add 1 cup of packed light brown sugar and stir constantly.
As soon as the mixture starts to bubble, I continue boiling it for 2 full minutes, stirring the entire time. This transforms the butter and sugar into a silky, amber-colored caramel that smells absolutely heavenly.
Step 4: Coat the Mix
Now comes the fun part! I carefully pour the hot caramel sauce over the cereal and nuts on the baking sheet. Then, using a wooden spoon or spatula, I toss everything together gently but thoroughly to ensure every piece is coated in that shiny caramel goodness.
Step 5: Bake and Stir
I pop the tray into the preheated oven and bake for 8 minutes. After that, I remove it, give everything a quick stir, and return it to the oven for another 8 minutes. This step helps the caramel set evenly and gives the nuts an extra toasted flavor.
Step 6: Cool and Break Apart
Once out of the oven, I let the mix cool right on the tray. As it cools, the caramel hardens into a crispy coating. I break apart any clumps with a spoon or my hands (once it’s cool enough to touch).

Serving and Creative Variations
Once my Sweet and Salty Snack Mix is cool and crisp, it’s time for the best part—serving and snacking. This crunchy caramel-coated mix is endlessly versatile and seriously addictive.
How I Serve It
I usually pile it into a big bowl for parties, game nights, or casual movie marathons. It’s perfect for grabbing by the handful! When gifting, I’ll portion it into cellophane treat bags or mason jars tied with ribbon—it’s always a hit during the holidays or as a thoughtful homemade thank-you gift.
Fun Variations to Try
If you’re anything like me, you’ll want to experiment. Here are some of my favorite ways to mix things up:
- Add Chocolate Chips: After the mix cools completely, I toss in some semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips for a sweet-and-salty-chocolatey combo. Mini M&Ms are another fun twist!
- Use Different Nuts: Pecans are my go-to, but I’ve also used walnuts, almonds, and cashews with great results. Just make sure they’re unsalted to balance the sweetness.
- Add Pretzels or Popcorn: For even more crunch, I sometimes sub in a few cups of mini pretzels or air-popped popcorn. It adds a fun texture and a bit more salt to contrast the caramel.
- Make It Spicy: Like I mentioned earlier, a dash of cayenne pepper adds a warm, spicy note. It’s subtle, but people always ask, “What’s that kick?”

Kid-Friendly and Crowd-Pleasing
This mix is 100% kid-approved—just skip the cayenne for younger snackers. I often make a batch before road trips or school events. It packs well and doesn’t get soggy like some other snack mixes do.
Whether you’re making it for a party, gifting it, or keeping it all to yourself (no judgment here), this sweet and salty snack is guaranteed to disappear fast.
Storage Tips and Final Thoughts
How to Keep It Fresh
Once completely cooled, I store my sweet and salty snack mix in an airtight container at room temperature. It stays crunchy and delicious for up to one week, though it never lasts that long in my house! Be sure to keep it in a cool, dry place—heat or humidity can cause the caramel coating to get sticky.
If you’re gifting the mix, seal it in cellophane bags, mason jars, or snack tins with tight-fitting lids. Not only does it look great, but it also keeps the mix fresh and crisp.
Can You Freeze It?
Technically, yes—you can freeze it in a well-sealed bag or container for up to a month. But I’ll be honest: I prefer to make and eat it fresh. The cereal texture can change slightly once frozen and thawed, so keep that in mind if you go that route.

Sweet and Salty Snack
Equipment
- Large Saucepan
- Extra-Large Baking Sheet
- Foil or Parchment Paper
- Wooden Spoon or Silicone Spatula
- Nonstick Cooking Spray
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 2 sticks (1 cup) salted butter – adds rich, savory depth and balances the sweetness
- 1 cup packed light brown sugar – melts into a silky caramel with deep molasses notes
- 1 (12 oz) box Crispix cereal (about 12 cups) – light, airy crunch that holds up to caramel
- 1 ½ cups chopped pecans (6 oz) – buttery and nutty, they toast beautifully in the oven
Optional Add-Ins
- 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper – for a little kick if you want a spicy-sweet twist
Instructions
How to Make the Sweet and Salty Snack Mix
- I always start by preheating my oven to 325°F (160°C). While it’s heating up, I line an extra-large baking sheet with foil (you can use parchment paper instead) and give it a good coat of nonstick spray. This step is crucial—caramel can be super sticky, and this makes cleanup a breeze.
- Next, I spread the entire 12-ounce box of Crispix cereal and 1 ½ cups of chopped pecans evenly on the baking sheet. No need to toast the pecans separately—they’ll get beautifully golden during baking.
- In a medium saucepan, I melt 2 sticks of salted butter over medium-high heat. Once fully melted, I add 1 cup of packed light brown sugar and stir constantly.As soon as the mixture starts to bubble, I continue boiling it for 2 full minutes, stirring the entire time. This transforms the butter and sugar into a silky, amber-colored caramel that smells absolutely heavenly.
- Now comes the fun part! I carefully pour the hot caramel sauce over the cereal and nuts on the baking sheet. Then, using a wooden spoon or spatula, I toss everything together gently but thoroughly to ensure every piece is coated in that shiny caramel goodness.
- I pop the tray into the preheated oven and bake for 8 minutes. After that, I remove it, give everything a quick stir, and return it to the oven for another 8 minutes. This step helps the caramel set evenly and gives the nuts an extra toasted flavor.
- Once out of the oven, I let the mix cool right on the tray. As it cools, the caramel hardens into a crispy coating. I break apart any clumps with a spoon or my hands (once it's cool enough to touch).
Conclusion
This Sweet and Salty Snack Mix is one of those simple, feel-good recipes that checks all the boxes: it’s fast, budget-friendly, customizable, and most importantly—completely irresistible. With buttery caramel, crisp cereal, and toasty pecans in every bite, it satisfies every kind of snack craving.
Whether you’re whipping up a batch for family movie night, holiday gifts, or just to satisfy a personal craving (we’ve all been there), this recipe will quickly become a favorite in your rotation. Don’t be surprised when everyone asks you for the recipe—go ahead and send them here!
Ready to start snacking? Trust me—once you make this sweet and salty treat, you’ll be hooked. Enjoy!